It’s often said that cycling is in the Dutch DNA, or it’s part of the country’s culture. OK, I haven’t lived and worked there, so do I think this is true?

I’m going to stick my neck out and say yes, but I won’t say why until the end of this post (so no cheating). As regulars know, I’m always taking photos of physical infrastructure and sometimes (at least in the UK), they don’t always show people using it. That wasn’t a problem in the Netherlands!

Away from the centre of Amsterdam, we have a logically arranged piece of highway where each mode has its own space. Parking is accommodated and acts as additional protection.

Another cycle track in Amsterdam. Again, logical space and protection from a loading bay. Some planters provide a little bit of a buffer between people walking and cycling.

A junction in Amsterdam where people are protected. The cycling is casual because the people don’t feel under any pressure.